Abstract: A method of filtering data packets in General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol (GTP) signaling messages. Selected messages from GTP Path Management, GTP Tunnel Management, GTP Mobility Management, and GTP Location Management messages are analyzed against a plurality of filtering criteria, and data packets that do not meet the filtering criteria are dropped while data packets that meet the criteria are passed. The data packets may be analyzed to verify that they contain correct source, destination, and mask addresses, and that they contain UDP/TCP port numbers that are consistent with the GTP version number. The packets are also inspected at the GTP level, layer-5, and based on the GTP version, information in the GTP header, and accompanying Information Elements (IEs), selected data packets are dropped.

Abstract: Methods, systems and arrangements enable an adaptive node selector (e.g., an adaptive domain name server (DNS)) to monitor network nodes and/or links/interfaces therebetween/thereof to facilitate connections to and through network nodes and over network links that are available/up. The adaptive node selector may include a nomenclature-nodal address mapper/filtering data structure in which one or more entries indicate whether network node(s) and/or network link(s) used to route through and/or to the node of the nodal address is/are functioning properly. The adaptive node selector may monitor the network by, for example, polling various elements of the network. In certain embodiment(s), the adaptive node selector may include a location/origin based filter, an event logger for logging various monitored functioning and non-functioning occurrences, and a filter for returning IP address(es) responsive to queries for available/up interfaces/links.